A message from the President of the Council
Welcome to the our Council webpage. Our aim is to make Council more transparent and relevant to the wider University community. And so, here is a brief summary of what Council does.
Council is responsible and accountable for all institutional activities. Our role is to ensure that the University is properly governed and meets all of its legal and regulatory requirements. Together with the Executive, we set the mission, strategic direction, overall aims and the values of the University. I chair the meetings of Council and many of its Committees so I am concerned, both formally and informally, with the major financial and policy making decisions of the University. I also work closely with the Vice-Chancellor on broad issues of strategy and development.
I started my role as President of Council on 1 August 2022, but have served on Council for five years, two of those being a Vice President. I have enjoyed a relationship with the University for much longer, through my involvement with Henley Business School as Chair of its Alumni and Development Advisory Board. It has been a privilege to be part of the University at such an important time in its development and which will be a time of both challenge and ambition ahead.
Council aims to support the Executive, offering additional independent skills that can be drawn upon if required and also provide critical challenge to ensure that decision making is robust and well thought through. In so doing we can provide the best possible experience for our current students, academic and professional staff and also provide a sustainable, agile institution that will be enjoyed by generations to come.